do I need longer wheel bolts/lugs switching from 16 to 17 inch wheels

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Mar 18, 2012 | 09:25 AM

m4dzl

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do I need longer wheel bolts/lugs switching from 16 to 17 inch wheels

I have a 2001 A6 quattro avant am purchasing some 17x8 OE 8 spoke wheels part no. 4B360102AZ17, sometimes referenced by aftermarket vendors with a no. of ALY 58734.
It has a 35 mm offset.

These are replacing the stock 16x7 9 spoke alloys with Et of 45.

do these require a longer wheel bolt/lug?

Mar 18, 2012 | 04:08 PM

VONBOTTLE

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You'll only need longer bolts if you use spacers.....i.e. if you use 10mm spacers you'll need bolts 10 mm longer than stock

Mar 19, 2012 | 05:20 AM

m4dzl

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So as long as I don't use spacers the OE lugs will work with any Audi wheel that will fit my application?

Mar 19, 2012 | 06:18 AM

SloopJohnB@mac.com

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From: Olney, MD

I would not go so far as to say that. Depends on the thickness of the wheel as well as the countersink configuration of the wheel.
For example, some wheels use a straight cone-shaped countersink, others use a ball/curved shape. My S6s has the curved/ball countersink, my 2K4.2A6 has the straight cone-shaped one.

Using the wrong countersink bolt will generally result in loosening lug bolts.

Mar 19, 2012 | 08:04 AM

4Driver4

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I have never seen any model Audi with anything other than ball seats from the factory.

I think the OP would be very hard pressed to find factory wheels that would need anything different than the lug bolts that he has.

Mar 23, 2012 | 12:40 PM

Just Me

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99% no. But always check that you get at least 5-6 complete turns, and that the seat does not bottom out before the wheel is tight against the hub.

G

Mar 27, 2012 | 01:35 AM

TwoRivers

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From: California

Some months ago I removed my factory stock Audi OEM 16" wheels from my 2005 Audi A6 3.2 and replaced them with refinished Audi OEM 18" 7 spoke wheels. Ever since doing so the noise that the wheel and tires generate are driving me crazy.

I've tried 3 sets of tires all of which make noise to a varying degree. Conti DWS All Season, Michelin Pilot HMX All Season and finally Michelin SuperSport Summer tires. They are all noisy to my ear.

I am convinced that the wheel is transmitting a good portion of the noise, notwithstanding the bigger tire.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mark

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Mar 27, 2012 | 11:05 AM

Just Me

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Joined: Mar 2003

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i would have guessed odd tread wear, but you tried 3 sets of presumably fresh tires.

But it does go without saying that a stiff (metal) wheel transmits higher frequency noise than a lossy tire sidewall. That's pretty basic physics. Hz=f(stiffness).

Most people do not find a 235/45-17 or 245/45-17 all that noisy, and i presume thsoe with 18s and 19s simply don't care. Or went deaf long ago, possibly while looking for the fillings that fell out of their teeth.

G